The St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards (SKNBS) is recalling Squishy Dumpling toys and similar squishy squeeze toys due to counterfeit and potential safety risks.
In a statement, the SKNBS said that these products, which are commonly sold through local retail establishments and online marketplaces may be counterfeit, improperly labelled, or otherwise non-compliant with recognised safety requirements for children’s toys.
It said that investigations by international consumer safety authorities have identified that some squishy toys may contain water beads, gels, liquids, powders, sand, or other filling materials which can present significant hazards if released from the product.
‘If swallowed, water beads can expand inside the body and cause choking, intestinal blockage, aspiration, or other serious injuries. In addition, certain products may contain excessive levels of lead, prohibited phthalates, or other hazardous substances and may fail to meet established toy safety requirements.’
The Bureau is further warning that squishy toys may become dangerously hot when exposed to high temperatures, including microwaves, direct sunlight, motor vehicles, heaters, or other heat sources.
‘Under these conditions, toys may burst and release hot contents capable of causing serious burns,’ the SKNBS said, adding that consumers in possession of Squishy Dumpling toys or similar squishy toys that have an unknown manufacturer, lack safety information, emit a strong chemical odour, appear oily or unusually sticky, are leaking, or can be easily torn apart ‘should immediately discontinue use of the product and remove it from the reach of children’.
It is urging consumers to return affected products to the point of purchase where possible or otherwise dispose of them safely.
‘Retailers, distributors, and importers are directed to cease the sale and distribution of affected products immediately and to cooperate with any measures undertaken by the St. Kitts and Nevis Bureau of Standards to protect consumer safety.’